Carlos Sainz felt Lewis Hamilton should’ve been penalised for making contact with the Spaniard during the Spanish GP.
Carlos Sainz incident with Lewis Hamilton was not investigated by the FIA. On lap 19 of the 2024 Spanish Grand Prix, Sainz and Hamilton were locked in a close battle for sixth position. Hamilton attempted to overtake Sainz, where his W15 touched the Spaniard’s car.
Carlos Sainz expressed that, he felt Lewis Hamilton pushed him of the track when he was already slightly ahead. Sainz stated that, according to FIA rules, if a driver is ahead on the outside line, the other driver must give them space. However, Hamilton did not give the Spaniard enough space. However, the stewards did not investigate this incident.
I felt like he ran me off the track, and I was half a car length ahead. Normally, the rule this year says that if you’re ahead around the outside, they need to give you space. Carlos Sainz said, as reported by PlanetF1.com
Further, the Spaniard added there are specific rules set by stewards which are used to make decisions during races. In this incident, Sainz reckoned Hamilton’s actions were similar to situations 29-year-old faced in Miami, where the rules were applied differently. Sainz pointed out that it shows the rules are not always applied by the stewards. Sometimes, they consider the rules other times they just ignore it, which is really frustrating for the drivers, hinting that the FIA might’ve been biased in this regard.
” The stewards have some rules, and I thought he had done something similar to what happened to me in Miami. It shows that sometimes they apply and sometimes they don’t “. Carlos Sainz stated
Lewis Hamilton claims Carlos Sainz did not fully cover the inside line and left the gap to surpass him
After the race Lewis Hamilton was asked about his overtake against Carlos Sainz, The Briton stated it was pretty awesome for him. The move was clean and fair according to the seven time world champion. The Spaniard didn’t completely block the inside line, leaving a gap for Hamilton to take advantage of and pass by him. The 39-year-old was happy on how the overtake went which executed very well according to him.
” It was pretty awesome for me. I think it was clean. Ultimately he didn’t fully cover the inside line, he left the door open, which I went for “. Lewis Hamilton stated
Further, Hamilton talked about making a late move to get alongside Sainz during the race. He reckoned, both were very close to each other almost wheel to wheel. Even though both were so closed, the Spaniard managed to stay on the track. Whereas, Hamilton was trying to leave as much gap as possible to avoid collision which could’ve affected their race. However, Lewis Hamilton felt it was an exciting and well executed race.
” Late move up alongside him. I think we were wheel to wheel, and he was still on track so I left him space as much as I could. And… yep!” Lewis Hamilton added
#SpanishGP 🇪🇸 | Lewis Hamilton on his overtake on Carlos Sainz:
“It was pretty awesome for me. I think it was clean. Ultimately he didn’t fully cover the inside line, he left the door open, which I went for.”
“Late move up alongside him. I think we were wheel to wheel, and he… pic.twitter.com/yntuKXWkN4
— deni (@fiagirly) June 23, 2024
Certainly, Carlos Sainz believe FIA should’ve investigated on the incident with Hamilton, as he felt Hamilton was forcefully pushing Sainz out of the track. However, Hamilton claimed there was enough gap for him to surpass, as Sainz did not fully cover the inner line.
